Adulthood

Question 1

Who proposed 8 characterized stages of life, each involving a “crisis” that should be resolved before an individual moves on?

Answer 1

Erik Erikson

Question 2

Elaborate: 1. Trust vs. Mistrust

Answer 2

• occurs babies 1st year

- if needs are not met, child may never develop essential trust of others

Question 3

Elaborate: 2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Answer 3

• occurs as a toddler

- child must learn to be independent without feeling ashamed or uncertain

Question 4

Elaborate: 3. Initiative vs. Guilt

Answer 4

• occurs in preschool years

- child must learn to control impulses, and not develop too strong a sense of guilt over their wishes and fantasies

Question 5

Elaborate: 4. Competence vs. Inferiority

Answer 5

• challenge for school-age children

- child who fails to learn mastery and competence may come out of this stage feeling inferior

Question 6

Elaborate: 5. Identity vs. Role Confusion

Answer 6

• challenge of adolescence
• identity crisis is the primal conflict
• those who resolve will have a strong identity and plan for the future
• those who do not will live in confusion, unable to make decisions

Question 7

Elaborate: 6. Intimacy vs. Isolation

Answer 7

• challenge of young adulthood
• you must learn to share yourself with another and make commitments
• you are not complete until you are capable of intimacy, no matter how successful you are

Question 8

Elaborate: 7. Generativity vs. Stagnation

Answer 8

• challenge of the middle years
• once in an intimate relationship, will you sink into selfishness, or experience renewal and generativity?
• parenthood is the most common route to generativity

Question 9

Elaborate: 8. Ego Integrity vs. Despair

Answer 9

• challenge of old age

- a healthy adult shall not fear death, as a child shall not fear life

Question 10

Can these 8 psychological themes occur out of order?

Answer 10

yes

-culture also affects people’s progression through these stages

Question 11

Describe: characteristics of Emerging Adulthood

Answer 11

• feel they have reached adulthood in some ways, but not others
• more likely to live unstable lives and feel unrooted
• rates of risky behavior are higher than any other group
• distinct phase of prolonged exploration and freedom

Question 12

Define: Menopause

Answer 12

The cessation of menstruation, which happens between ages 45-55.

Question 13

What is the fastest growing segment of the population?

Answer 13

people over 85

Question 14

What do Gerontologists study?

Answer 14

aging and the old

Question 15

Describe: “positive retirement”

Answer 15

retirement might last around 20-30 years, compared to previous generations

Question 16

Do all cognitive abilities worsen with age?

Answer 16

No

Question 17

Define: Fluid Intelligence

Answer 17

• capacity for deductive reasoning, and ability to use new information to solve problems
• independent of education
• (tends to decline in old age)

Question 18

Define: Crystallized Intelligence

Answer 18

• knowledge and skills built up over a lifetime
• depends on education and experience
• (does not decline in old age, can possibly increase with age)

Question 19

What are 3 preventable and treatable parts of old age?

Answer 19

• senility
• weakness, frailty, and diseases associated with old age
• depression, passivity, and memory problems

Question 20

What can cause senility?

Answer 20

• malnutrition
• prescribed medications
• harmful drug combinations

Question 21

What can cause weakness, frailty and diseases of old age?

Answer 21

-being inactive and sedentary

Question 22

What can cause depression, passivity, and memory problems?

Answer 22

Loss of meaningful activity, stimulation, control over events, and goals to pursue.

Question 23

What can mental stimulation do for the brain of a person in old age?

Answer 23

-foster the growth of neural connections